Bathurst Observatory Research Facility
Bathurst NSW Australia
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https://www.facebook.com/BathurstObservatory/
Bathurst Observatory Research Facility is an observatory site primarily for education, research and study, though we do offer general public viewing nights.
Open Nights Star Tours Available Now (conditions and limits apply)
Bookings will be essential for all tours.
(All tours subject to weather)
NEWS: Tours begin at the new site
Tours are underway at the new site. The site is not complete yet, however, are able to offer tours to help complete other facilities.
Tours will be generally be available any clear Friday and Saturday nights, however, we can also offer some tours, mid week for groups of 5 or more. Check to see if I am available.
Any clear Friday and Saturday Nights!!!
Note, Bathurst Observatory has moved and under construction!!!!
The new site, opened during 2020 and offers better sky, better viewing opportunities and a more unique experience.
No tours in the week of Full Moon.
Please note that the main telescope is pretty big and requires use of a small stepladder for viewing. Please advise if you would have difficulties with steps and we can set up a different telescope.
* There may be some mid week research nights where tours are not available.
Reduced Tours Prices for groups
Costs :
As the site is not yet complete with all facilities, we are asking for donation towards completion (an amount you think is fair for the tour and my time).
(Note: we have NO credit card facilities)
Tour bookings and Enquiries, phone (0427292214 Please leave a message as we screen out spam calls), or email us. (Email is by far the best way to get us, if you don’t get a reply it means you have us blocked!!! Please change your settings!).
Why “Open Nights”?
We used to do tours in the observatory dome. However, we found that the dome itself blocked out most of the night sky! Our visitors wanted to view through a telescope but be able to see and hear about the wonders of the night sky at the same time. We particularly had many visitors from urban areas wanting to see a nice dark country sky full of stars. The solution, set up the public telescope as nature wanted us to, on cleared ground next to the observatory, under the wonder of the Southern stars.
Our tours are conducted with the only guide with over fifteen years educational astronomy experience and with Bachelor of Education Honours Degree! Our guide is also an internationally recognised expert in the field of meteorites.
Tours require bookings and are weather dependent. (We can’t see stars through clouds!) Tour duration is about 1 hour, depending on time of year.
We cater for all school astronomy and space excursions, as well as general public telescope tours of the night sky. Primarily we offer our open night tours to inspire everyone to look to the night sky.
The Milky Way stretches overhead in this view taken at the Bathurst Observatory Research Facility.
The Bathurst Observatory Research Facility (Research and Meteorite Related Enquires and Public Viewing Nights)
The Bathurst Observatory Research Facility, located on the current site on Limekilns Road north east of Bathurst. At the research site, we study, comets, asteroids, variable stars, meteors and meteorites. For research related enquires please email us.
We also welcome any enquires or questions you may have on Astronomy, Space or meteorite related matters.
Our FaceBook page https://www.facebook.com/BathurstObservatory/ is regularly updated, so have a look for the latest news and images from the observatory.
Other Tours
Solar Telescope Tours (Viewing the Sun)
On occasions, we are able to offer daytime telescope views of the sun. We have a special telescope that allows you to SAFELY view the sun. At present the availability of these tours will depend on three factors.
- that I’m available on the day.
- it is not cloudy.
- that the sun has some active features.
The third point is important, as sometimes the sun can be quiet and not as interesting to see.
These tours will be about 15 minutes in duration and by gold coin donation. Bookings for a solar tour would be essential.
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Cloudy weather means I am posting an image of The Prawn Nebula, I actually captured a few weeks ago. A few exciting ventures I am working on in the background... More information soon (I hope).
A few things of note, if you hear about a meteor shower this weekend, it is sadly not for Australia. It is a northern hemisphere event. Enjoy the full moon though! I generally have full moon weekends to myself (the moon is too bright to view much through the telescope).
Don't forget tours are available most Friday and Saturday night or, if I'm available, some midweek tours for groups of 5 or more. ... See MoreSee Less
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It was a very still evening on the 7th. As such, I was able to get some stunning detail on the Moon. Some close ups and slightly wider views. Enjoy. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Thank you for sharing these amazing images.
Looks like something inside the crater
Spectacular!
I had a very narrow time slot between some work I had to do, to image the Moon on the 3rd of August. A bit of a rush, but ok I think! ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Nicer than okay.
Great snaps
Great pics. Thank you.
Anthony Kat
Galaxy NGC 6744 is a bit like our own Milky Way galaxy. It has a central bar, spiral shape and even smaller satellite galaxies (like our own). It is about 30 million light years away from us though. Though galaxies don't seem to ignite as much interest as when I post planets and nebula etc, there is something about this image that just keeps me staring at it!
Quick poll!!! I want to have some images taken at the observatory available for visitors to purchase. What would people like? Postcard sized prints or larger say 8 by 10 sized you could frame?
We have also updated the web page. Have a look and let me know if we have covered everything! ... See MoreSee Less
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I think both. Maybe make cards that people can send to their friends ("wish you were here), which could have the observatory details on it, then some 8x10 prints, plus an option to order larger prints - the cost to include postage in a tube.
I would thing starting with small numbers an several sizes to see which sells more, like supermarkets, if an item, although you and I love it, if the supermarket isn't making what they forecast then it's off the shelf never to be seen again.
Also has a magellanic cloud like companion too!
I’m a galaxy fan.👍
I was taking advantage of some clear skies over the weekend to image the Milky Way with just the camera and a lens. I have been asked if I will do astrophotography classes. In short, YES. Message me sometime if interested as there would be some requirements.
Speaking of tours, here are the August dates with a special mention at the end....
Friday the 5th and Saturday the 6th
Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th
Saturday the 27.
Bookings essential, tours will be at 7:30pm and still donation entry.
NOTE, AS SATURN IS SUCH A WONDERFUL OBJECT, I MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK TOURS IN ADDITION TO DATES ABOVE FOR GROUPS OF 4 OR MORE. It will be best to check the day before as I can be unavailable a few mid weeks nights. But give it a try. ... See MoreSee Less
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Oh the ocre and iron, or Chlorine and phosphorus
Sophie
Ken Lambeth
The Lagoon Nebula (M8) is a showpiece of the tours this time of the year. I still have some tour places available for August and will post those dates again soon (as a reminder).
I am also finalising a luxury accommodation option so visitors can stay on site. It should be available before the end of the year. ... See MoreSee Less
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Wow. Luxury accommodation!! Oh, and the photo is terrific.
Count us in for that 😃
Lagoon Neb taken with 100mm macro on Canon 2021.
Don't forget tour dates were posted yesterday with the previous Saturn image. It was an even better night on Friday for imaging and I refined my focus for imaging Saturn and the Moon. Saturn was very clear, as was the crater Langrenus on the Moon. ... See MoreSee Less
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👏
I always love your photos.
I imaged Saturn for the first time this year on the 14th. I'm a bit rusty at planet imaging, so they will get better the coming weeks. Saturn will be a highlight of the tours from August until later this year (along with other planets later too).
Saturn would be a standout in any tour I think! Speaking of tours, here are the August dates with a special mention at the end....
Friday the 5th and Saturday the 6th
Friday the 19th and Saturday the 20th
Saturday the 27.
Bookings essential, tours will be at 7:30pm and still donation entry.
NOTE, AS SATURN IS SUCH A WONDERFUL OBJECT, I MAY BE AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK TOURS IN ADDITION TO DATES ABOVE FOR GROUPS OF 4 OR MORE. It will be best to check the day before as I can be unavailable a few mid weeks nights. But give it a try. ... See MoreSee Less
Comment on Facebook
Amazing. Somehow I'm always impressed that Saturn looks in real life just like you see in books etc!
I saw Saturn once through a telescope. It's very cool to see those rings.
yeah, nah mate. you still got it 😜
Are these virtual tours available online? 🙏🤞
Annette Taylor I want to see Saturn!
Stunning!
Where's the moons ?
Jenny Jury 😲
Oh I love Saturn
Tom McInnes
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I took advantage of a clear afternoon to image the Sun! We have a special telescope that safely enables me to image the sun. The sun is waking up and heading towards solar maximum in a couple of years time. This is evident by the number of sunspots (magnetic storms) visible on the sun today! Sometimes these can erupt in solar flares.
I will post the upcoming tour dates very soon. This will include an additional tour option for a few weeknights. ... See MoreSee Less
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The sun is such an unusual body compared to planets. It is SO uniform.